"How should I call you?" Mizu asked nervously.
Kira cleared her throat. "My name is Kira," she said, regaining her composure.
Only now did Kira begin to take in her surroundings—and what she saw left her speechless. Her emerald eyes widened at the sight of the nine enormous mountains dominating the horizon. Their peaks were hidden in the clouds, and a great river wound around them like a coiled serpent.
Next to her stood thousands of other teenagers. They were gathered on a hill not far from the mountain range.
Kira turned back to Mizu. "Do you know where we are?"
Mizu followed her gaze and met her eyes again. Kira had to summon all her willpower not to get lost in the icy blue of Mizu's stare.
"Mhm. We're in the Cherry Spring Sect," Mizu nodded with a proud smile, clearly pleased to know something Kira didn't.
"Here!" Mizu said, offering her hand.
Kira accepted it and let Mizu help her up, marveling at how soft the girl's hand felt.
"Thank you," Kira said, holding her hand a moment longer than necessary.
Mizu blushed slightly. She opened her mouth to say something—but was cut off by an authoritative, entitled voice.
"Mizu, how many times must I tell you not to touch everything you find on the ground? Especially if it's a peasant beneath us."
"Don't be mean, Hari!" Mizu said, visibly uncomfortable with the elegant-looking girl who had appeared beside her.
She looked to be a year older than both Kira and Mizu and carried herself with the poised arrogance of royalty.
Kira stared at her, hiding her anger behind a neutral expression. It wasn't the first time she'd been reduced to her lowborn status.
Mizu shot her an apologetic look, which helped extinguish some of the flames smoldering in her chest.
"I'm Kira. And you are?" she asked, forcing a smile.
A flicker of disgust crossed the girl's face. "Hari," she replied curtly, not even bothering to meet Kira's eyes.
The flames of anger flared again within Kira.
"Come, Mizu. I heard it's about to start soon," Hari said, surprisingly gentle with her tone as she took Mizu's hand and led her into the crowd.
"Bye-bye! Maybe we'll meet again later!" Mizu called out just before disappearing with Hari.
Kira stood awkwardly, still waving long after they were gone.
"Attention, please," a raspy voice echoed from above.
Thousands of heads turned upward to see an old man standing in midair, looking down on them. His black robe, adorned with golden embroidery, fluttered in the wind—along with his long white beard.
"Welcome to the Cherry Spring Sect," he began. "You are all now outer disciples of our sect."
He waved his sleeve, and countless small bags flew into the hands of every teenager present.
Kira caught hers and quickly turned her focus back to the man in the sky.
"In these bags, you will find: three outer sect robes, a map of the sect, your identification token, five spirit stones, and an introduction manual," he announced. "And I want you all to understand something—especially those of you from humble backgrounds:
Here, only strength matters. Whether you're noble or orphan, it's irrelevant. All of you now stand at the same starting line. What path you forge from here is entirely up to you. My only advice—seize this opportunity and aim for greatness."
Some nobles in the crowd bristled at the thought of being equal to peasants. But Kira felt as if the man had spoken directly to her.
She had always dreamed of something greater.
Everyone knew the legends—immortals who defied the heavens, moved mountains, drained seas, and ended armies with a single wave of the hand.
In her heart, Kira made a vow.
She would seize this chance.
No matter what it cost, no matter what she had to do—she would not let it slip away.
She gripped the small pouch tighter and held it close, as if her life depended on it.
"Do not lose your sect token!" the old man continued. "It identifies you as a disciple, records your contribution points, and grants access to sect buildings such as the library.
The library, by the way, should be your first stop—to choose your cultivation technique and begin your journey to immortality."
Kira's heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't wait to shed these rags and begin her cultivation. She had sworn that no one would ever look down on her again.
"The map will show you the location of the library, your living quarters, and other important places within the sect. That is all."
With a final gesture, the old man vanished.
Kira opened her pouch. She didn't even wonder how so many things fit inside something so small.
She pulled out the map and began walking toward the foot of the nearest mountain.
Her journey had begun.